Electrical Network Analysis

EL-228
LABORATORY MANUAL
Fall 2021

LAB 01
Introduction to Electrical Network Analysis
Lab
Dr. Muhammad Awais
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STUDENT NAME ROLL NO SEC DATE

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NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF COMPUTER AND EMERGING SCIENCES (NUCES),
ISLAMABAD

Prepared by: Naveed Iqbal Version: 2.0

Last Edited by: Khalid Usman Date: 27 Aug, 2018
Verified by: Engr. Aamer Munir Date: 27 Aug, 2018
LAB
01 Introduction to Electrical Network Analysis Lab
:
Learning Objectives:
a. Introduction to Electrical Network Analysis Lab.
b. Understand the use of basic measuring instruments.
c. Study different types of capacitors and inductors and methods to determine their values.
d. Understand some basic terminologies.
 Introduction to Electrical Network Analysis Lab LAB: 01
Equipment Required:
a. Digital multimeter (DMM)
b. Breadboard
c. Resistors
d. Inductors
e. Connecting wires
f. Wire stripper
g. Cathode ray oscilloscope (CRO)
h. Probes

Introduction:
Power electronics is the application of solid-state electronics for the control and conversion of
electric power.

Measuring Instruments:

Ammeter
An ammeter is an instrument that is used to measure
the currents in a circuit. The currents are measured in
amperes (A). In order for an ammeter to measure a
current, the current must pass through the ammeter and
hence it must be placed in a series mode inside the
circuit. The polarities must correspond, the positive and Fig 1.1: AC and DC symbols
negative polarity must match up with the positive and
negative on the circuit. DC ammeters measure average
value of DC current while AC ammeters measure RMS
value of AC current.

Voltmeter
A voltmeter is an instrument that is used to measure
the voltage between two points in a circuit. In order to
for a voltmeter to measure the voltages, it does not
require current to be passed through it. It is placed Fig 1.2: Ammeter and voltmeter
parallel to the circuits they are expected to measure. in a circuit
Polarity is also expected to be observed in the
placement of voltmeters. DC voltmeters measure
average value of DC voltage while AC voltmeters
measure RMS value of AC voltage.

Multimeter
Multimeters can also be utilized in place of both
ammeters and voltmeters. A multimeter is an instrument
that can be used to measure both, currents as well as
Fig 1.3: Digital Multimeter
voltages. It can also perform as ohmmeters, a device
used to measure resistance. Multimeters are available in
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analogue or digital format. Digital multimeter is shown
in Fig 1.3.

LCR meter
An LCR meter is a type of electronic test equipment
used to measure the inductance (L), capacitance (C),
and resistance (R) of an electronic component.
Fig 1.4: LCR meter

Cathode Ray Oscilloscope

The cathode-ray oscilloscope (CRO) provides accurate time and aplitude
measurements of voltage signals over a wide range of frequencies. Different parts of CRO are
shown in Fig 1.5.

The CRO has a selector switch with three positions, A.C. D.C. and GND. DC
coupling allows both DC and AC components of a signal to pass through. If input has both
AC and DC components, it will be displayed with reference to ground. If there is no AC
component the output is a straight line of the applied DC voltage with reference to ground.
A.C coupling means that only A.C. signals are allowed to pass from the input terminal
through to the measuring devices within the CRO.

Fig 1.5: Cathode Ray Oscilloscope

Calibration of CRO
1) Examine all the controls on CRO and set them to normal positions. For most CROs, all
rotating dials should be centred, all push buttons should be out, and all slide switches and
paddle switches should be up.
2) Turn oscilloscope on and give it a minute or two to warm up.
3) Set the VOLTS/DIV control to 1V. This sets the scope to display one volt per vertical
division.
4) Set the TIME/DIV control to 1ms. This control determines the time interval represented
by each horizontal division on the display.
5) Set the Trigger switch to auto. The Auto position enables the oscilloscope to stabilize the
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trace on a common trigger point in the waveform.
6) Connect a probe to the Channel to be calibrated. Oscilloscope probes include a probe
point, which is connected to the input signal and a separate ground lead. The ground lead
usually has an alligator clip. When testing a circuit, this clip can be connected to any
common ground point within the circuit. In some probes, the ground lead is detachable,
so you can remove it when it isn't needed.
7) Touch the end of the probe to the scope's calibration
terminal. This terminal provides a sample square
wave that you can use to calibrate the scope's
display.
8) If necessary, adjust the TIME/DIV and
VOLTS/DIV controls until the square wave fits
nicely within the display.
9) If necessary, adjust the Y-POS control to centre the
trace vertically and X-POS control to centre the
trace horizontally.
10) If necessary, adjust the Intensity and Focus settings
to get a clear trace. Fig 1.6: Sample Square Wave

Function Generator

The function generator is a supply that typically

provides various ac signals for a range of frequencies
and amplitudes. The range of frequency of the function
generator can be adjusted by the dial position and
appropriate multiplier the oscilloscope can be used to
precisely set the output frequency. The scope can also
be used to set the amplitude of the function generator
since most function generators simply have an Fig 1.7: Function Generator
amplitude control with no level indicators. In addition
to an amplitude control, many generators have what is
called a DC offset control on them. This allows user to
shift the waveform in the positive or negative direction.
Capacitor

Capacitor is a passive device and consists of a

set of plates with insulator, known as dielectric,
between them. When a voltage is applied to these
plates, a current flows charging up the plates with
electrons giving one plate a positive charge and the
other plate an equal and opposite negative charge. This
flow of electrons to the plates is known as the Charging Fig 1.8: Capacitors
Current and continues to flow until the voltage across
the plates is equal to the applied voltage. The unit of
capacitance is the Farad. Different types of capacitors
are discussed below.

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1) Film Capacitor

The film and foil types of capacitors are made

from long thin strips of thin metal foil with the
dielectric material sandwiched together which are
wound into a tight roll and then sealed in paper or metal
tubes. These dielectrics include polyester (Mylar),
polystyrene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, metalized
paper, Teflon etc. These film types requires a much
thicker dielectric film to reduce the risk of tears or
punctures in the film, and is therefore more suited to Fig 1.9: Film Capacitors
lower capacitance values and larger case sizes. Film
type capacitors are available in capacitance ranges from
5pF to 100uF depending upon the actual type of
capacitor and its voltage rating.

2) Ceramic Capacitor

Ceramic Capacitors or Disc Capacitors are made

by coating two sides of a small porcelain or ceramic
disc with silver and are then stacked together to make a
capacitor. For very low capacitance values a single
ceramic disc of about 3-6mm is used. Ceramic
capacitors have a high dielectric constant (High-K) and
are available so that relatively high capacitances can be
obtained in a small physical size
Fig 1.10: Ceramic Capacitors

3) Aluminium Electrolytic Capacitors

An aluminium electrolytic capacitor, usually

simply called an electrolytic capacitor (e-cap), is a
capacitor whose anode (+) consists of pure aluminium
foil with an etched surface, covered with a uniformly
very thin barrier layer of insulating aluminium oxide
which operates as a dielectric. The electrolyte, which Fig 1.11: Electrolytic Capacitors
covers the rough surface of the oxide layer, operates as
the second electrode, the cathode (-).

A tantalum electrolytic capacitor, a member of

the family of electrolytic capacitors, is a polarized
capacitor whose anode electrode (+) is made of
tantalum on which a very thin insulating oxide layer
originates by anodic ally oxidation (forming), which
acts as the dielectric of the electrolytic capacitor. A
solid or non-solid electrolyte which covers the surface Fig 1.12: Tantalum Capacitors
of the oxide layer serves as the second electrode
(cathode) (-) of the capacitor.

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Method 1: Coding

Similar to resistors some capacitors make use of color

codes to indicate their value. There will be usually 5
bands on the capacitor. The first and second band will
represent a number of the capacitor color code
chart. Third band is the multiplier band; fourth band
represents the tolerance while the fifth band represents
the voltage. Fig 1.13: Colour Coded
Capacitor

Fig 1.14: Table for Colour Coding of Capacitor

Method 2:
Some large capacitors will indicate their value on the capacitor itself.

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Fig 1.15: Specifications of Electrolytic Capacitors

Method 3:
In smaller body capacitors sometimes, µF or pF will not be
written. Only the value will be indicated on the capacitor.
In such a case,

1) If the capacitor has a two digit number as the value,

then the value will be in pico Farads. For example if
the capacitor has value 47 printed on it, it means 47pF.
2) If the capacitor has a three digit number as the value,
then first two digits represent the capacitance value in
pico Farads. While the third digit is the multiplier. If
the multiplier band has a value from (1 to 7), then
Fig 1.16: Table for method 3
multiply by the corresponding number of zeros. It means that if the multiplier band has a
value of 5, then multiply by five zeros. Now, if the multiplier band has a value 0, then
multiply by 1. For a value of 8 or 9 in the multiplier band, multiply by 0.01 for 8 and 0.1 for
9. For example: Consider a capacitor with the value 103. It means that the capacitor has a
value of 10pF with a multiplier of 3 (means multiply by 1000). So the actual value of the
capacitor is 10000pF or 0.01µF.

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Method 4:
If the capacitor has a value printed, then the first
digit represents the value before decimal point and English
letter represents the unit and the digit after letter represents
the value after the decimal point. Forexample capacitor
shown in Fig has value 4.7nF +-10% 100V

Fig 1.17: Method 4

Method 5:
Sometimes capacitors come with values like 470. This reads
47 as the capacitance value in pF, ‘0’ represents the
multiplier (multiply by 1) and K represents tolerance value.
Fig 1.18: Method 5

Inductors
Inductors are electronic components that oppose a
change in current. Inductors are simply windings or coils of
wire. The number of windings and the type of material
around which they are wound, along with the gauge of wire,
are the only elements that differentiate inductors. The unit of Fig 1.19: Inductors
inductance is the Henry (H). Different types of inductors are
discussed below.

Iron Core Fixed Inductors

One of the most common inductor types, iron core
inductors, utilizes a core material made of iron around
which the conductor wire is wound. The iron material reacts
with the magnetic field or magnetic flux created by the
current passing through the wire. The iron core plays in
integral part in the amount of inductance which the inductor
possesses. Fig 1.20: Iron Core Fixed
Inductors
Ferrite Core Fixed Inductors
Similar to Iron Core Inductors, the ferrite core
inductor incorporate-rates a center core made of a ferrite
material.

Fig 1.21: Ferrite Core Fixed

Inductors

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Air Core Fixed Inductors
Air core inductors do not incorporate a core material.
The air core inductor is simply a winding of conductor
material. Often considered the inductor of choice for
crossover applications, air core inductors are known for their
accuracy and performance. Air core inductors are typically
the most expensive. This price increase is due to the fact that
air core inductors utilize more copper wire in lieu of the iron
or ferrite core materials.

Fig 1.22: Air Core Fixed

Inductors

Fixed Inductor Value Calculation

As with resistors and capacitors, inductors are most often
simply labeled for their value. In most cases the value will
be in the millihenry (mH) range. While the unit of measure
for inductance is the Henry (H) most inductors in the mobile
electronics industry are of a value much smaller than a
Henry. Note that in the illustration to the right this particular
inductor has a value of 3.2mH or 3.2 millihenries
Fig 1.23: Fixed Inductor
Value Calculation

Colour Coding

Fig 1.24: Colour Coding of Inductors

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Five band Military Standard Inductor

Fig 1.25: Five band Military Standard Inductor

Basic Terminologies:

1) Peak is the maximum value, either positive or

negative , that a waveform attains.
2) Peak to Peak is sum of the absolute value of
positive and negative peaks, that a waveform
attains.
3) The RMS value is the effective value of a
varying voltage or current. It is the equivalent
steady DC value which gives the same effect.
4) The average value is the quotient of the area
under the waveform with respect to time.
Fig 1.26: Basic Terminologies
5) Frequency of a waveform is the number of cycles
per second. Frequency is measured in Hz.
6) Time Period is inverse of frequency i.e. T = 1/f.

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Lab Tasks

Task 1a:

Procedure:
1) Calibrate CRO using steps discussed earlier.
2) Generate signals given in table below from function generator, having peak value of 1V and
frequency less than 5 KHz and observe them on CRO.
3) Measure the quantities given in the table.

Waveform Triangular Square Sinusoidal

Frequency set on Fuction generator (Hz)

Calculated Time period T=1/f

Number of vertical boxes

Scale on vertical knob

Number of horizontal boxes

Scale on horizontal knob

Calculated time period using CRO

Task 1b:
1) Generate a sinusoidal signal using function generator having peak value of 1V.
2) Vary the frequency of the signal and observe change in time period of the signal for three different
frequencies.

Frequency set on Fuction generator (Hz) F1 F2 F3

Calculated Time period T=1/f

Number of vertical boxes

Scale on vertical knob
Peak value of signal
Number of horizontal boxes
Scale on horizontal knob

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Calculated time period using CRO

3) Now keep frequency of signal constant and change the horizontal axis settings of CRO using time
knob. Fill in the given table.

Scale on horizontal knob T1 T2 T3

Frequency set on Fuction generator (Hz)

Calculated Time period T=1/f

Number of vertical boxes

Scale on vertical knob

Peak value of signal

Number of horizontal boxes

Observed time period using CRO

On the basis of your observations, answer the following questions.

Q1: While keeping the frequency of signal generator constant and varying the Time division knob of
CRO, does the time period of signal vary?

Q2: While keeping the Time division knob of CRO at constant position and varying the frequency of
signal generator, does the time period of signal vary?

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Task 1c:
Find the peak, average and RMS values of voltage of the following waveforms.

(a)
(b)

Peak Value

Average Value

RMS Value

Procedure:
1) In order to generate (a) use function generator.
2) Use CRO to find the peak value of waveform.
3) Use DC voltmeter for finding average value and AC volmeter for finding RMS value.
4) In order to generate (b) use DC power supply.
5) Use CRO to find the peak value of waveform.
6) Use DC voltmeter for finding average value and AC volmeter for finding RMS value.

Task 2a:
Procedure:
1) Generate a sinusoidal using Function generator.
2) Connect this circuit with a channel of CRO.
3) Use input coupling selector from and observe output waveform at different settings. Draw
waveforms in the given table.

Input AC

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DC GND

Task 2b:
Procedure:
1) Generate a DC signal using power supply.
2) Connect this circuit with a channel of CRO.
3) Use input coupling selector from and observe output waveform at different settings. Draw
waveforms in the given table.
Input AC

DC GND

Task 3a:
You are given different types of inductors. Identify the type of inductors and fill in the given table.

Measured
Shape of Type of Calculated Additional
value using
Inductor inductor value information
LCR meter

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Task 3b:
You are given different types of capacitors. Identify the type of capacitors and fill in the given table.

Measured
Shape of Type of Calculated Additional
value using
Capacitor Capacitor value information
LCR meter

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